Analyze the impacts of the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) on subsequent European imperial competition and global exploration.
Answer 1
Heather Oconnor
The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494 between Portugal and Spain, significantly influenced European imperial competition and global exploration. By dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two powers along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands, it established spheres of influence that shaped colonial endeavors. This demarcation spurred further exploration and colonization by both nations, leading to the establishment of vast overseas empires. However, it also prompted other European powers, such as England, France, and the Netherlands, to challenge Iberian dominance, leading to increased global competition and the eventual rise of new colonial powers.
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